Walt Disney World – My First Visit

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My First WDW VisitSo much has changed (and is changing all the time) at Walt Disney World since my first visit nearly 25 years ago.  I though I’d share some random thoughts and memories from that very first trip so long ago – and how I feel about Walt Disney World today.  In case I haven’t told you lately – Thanks for stopping here and reading this blog.  Your visit(s) mean a lot to me…more than you know.

Back BACK back…..a long (really long) time ago…

Growing up, we traveled a LOT.  I was the baby of the family; the youngest of four.  My dad worked for an airline, so we flew free and often.  Of all the places we went, I clearly remember visiting Sea World in Orlando in the early ’70’s – why we didn’t visit Walt Disney World, I’ll never know.  I’d always heard about it and vowed to get there someday!  I can vividly recall a neighborhood friend who was lucky enough to visit Orlando right after Walt Disney World opened – she described Haunted Mansion in such elaborate detail!  I was amazed that something like that could possibly exist.  When I eventually rode it for the first time, I could not believe how my memories of her stories matched the actual ride precisely.  Later, when my big brother got old enough to travel with his friends, he went to Walt Disney World and entertained me with explanations of how the tickets worked and that E-ticket rides were the best!

Flash forward to the late ’80’s….

Among the many things I fell in love with about Raymond when we met was that he had Tying the Knot 1989visited Walt Disney World several times, loved it, and couldn’t wait to go back.  This was clearly a relationship meant to be!  We met, dated for a few weeks, got engaged and were married less than 10 months after we met.  As a newlywed, happily in love, I wondered, “Now could I finally go to Disney World?”  Sort of.  We both had work committments that made taking time off for a real honeymoon impossible after our September wedding, so we planned a delayed trip for February.  We’d visit Walt Disney World and also take a cruise on The Big Red Boat (precurser to Disney having their own cruiseline).  Little did we know that by delaying the honeymoon, baby #1 would be on the way already by the time we went.

Raymond was so excited to show me everything he loved most about the Disney parks and hotels.  We stayed at the Grand Floridian, which we thought was heavenly.  I remember what a huge splurge it was and how luxurious those fluffy white robes were.  I felt so grown up!  I remember it rained while we were there and how happy we were in our ponchos running around Magic Kingdom.  Every single minute was magical.

Hats in Epcot's Mexico PavilionLife got really busy after that.  Six years went by before we found the means to make it back to Walt Disney World again – and by that time, the two of us had become four.  The memories of the first visit that seemed almost too good to be true were suddenly surpassed by new memories that were even better!  This Disney couple had become a Disney family!  Our children loved Walt Disney World every bit as much as we did and the die was cast – this was how we wanted to vacation!  And how we would, every chance we got.

Time flies when you’re having fun!  I can’t believe we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago.  Our children are somehow, incredibly, 19 and 24!  There was no way we could let this occasion pass without just the right celebration.  In 8 short days, Raymond and I will embark on what I’ve been referring to as our “Walt Disney World, Bay Lake Tower, 25th Anniversary, Alone-at-Last Extravaganza”!  We know we are going to have a magical, wonderful time…we always do.

What do you remember most about your first Walt Disney World visit?

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your Disney vacations when the kids grow up, click here.

 

Walt Disney World – Lots of Love for Liberty Square

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The Liberty Bell in Walt Disney World's Liberty SquareSo much goodness can be found in a very special little corner of Magic Kingdom – Liberty Square!  I like to approach this section of the park through Fantasyland to fully enjoy this carefully crafted walk through time.  Don’t know what I mean?  Liberty Square is the symbolic beginning of these United States of America!  As you walk towards and through Frontierland, you move through history!

Let’s go back in time to Colonial America.  Check the buildings’ architecture, style, and colors and you’ll be transported back to a time when there were, in this country, just 13 colonies struggling for liberty – thus the name of today’s focus!  Don’t miss the Liberty Bell (reproduction) and the stockade for some great photo ops!  A humble little area with only a very few attractions and eateries, the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World would certainly not be the same without it.

Lots of Love for Liberty Square

The Liberty Belle is a beauty!  This paddlewheel boat is graceful and majestic and offers guests a relaxing way to enjoy the Rivers of America.  While I prefer to enjoy her beauty from the shore Hall of Presidents / Walt Disney Worldrather than aboard her decks – there’s no denying how impressive this riverboat is in all her whitewashed glory.

The Hall of Presidents – Don’t be ashamed if you’re a fan!  Go ahead, hold your head up with pride.  You’re not a stuffy, geeky brainiac – you’ve got a great appreciation for a unique and very “Disney” experience.  In New York at the 1964 World’s Fair, Walt Disney’s Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln first appeared in the Illinois Pavilion.  Once Disney had Honest Abe – the very first animatronic human – the rest of the presidents were not far behind.  A virtual haul of presidents!  (Don’t hurt yourself)

Walt Disney World's Haunted MansionHaunted Mansion – Don’t tell me this doesn’t rank in your top 10 favorite Disney attractions.  Either I won’t believe you or I’ll have to stop being your friend.  This ride’s got it ALL!  Great sound and special effects, perfect balance of fun and creepy/scary-ness, awesome ride vehicles, great music – what more could a Disney fan ask for?

What’s YOUR favorite thing about Liberty Square?    

 

 

A Disney Souvenir of a More Permanent Nature

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Mediterranean LandscapeOr maybe I should call this post, “A Disney Souvenir More Naturally Permanent.”  You be the judge.  We live in the country, The Fam and I (well, mostly just Raymond, Junior and I do now).  When I say “the country” I mean we live on a farm – the kind with crops instead of animals, but it is totally normal for me to take the dog out in the morning and hear both roosters crowing and cattle lowing or mooing or complaining – whatever you want to call that boisterous bovine nonsense at 5:00 am.  Our neighbors do raise livestock.

What does living in the country have to do with Disney souvenirs?  Thanks for asking!  I’ll Hillside in the Mediterraneantell you about it.  In August, 2013 – after dreaming about it for many years – we took a Disney cruise in the Mediterranean.  As you might expect, we did and saw some wonderfully amazing things.  Oh, the places we went!!!  While we were in there, we noticed some very beautiful pine trees.  They were almost everywhere and looked a bit like cartoon trees – shaped like umbrellas, their lovely arched branches atop tall, tall trunks, provided shade in a way we found charming and so different from anything we’d seen before.  We asked our guide in Florence, Italy about them and were told they were simply “Mediterranean Pines”.  Back home, a little Google research revealed they may also be “Umbrella Pines” or “Stone Pines”.  Whatever their name, I thought they were lovely.

Pine Tree Groot!

I AM GROOT

Raymond, being the agricultural expert in the family, took it upon himself to surprise me with some actual Mediterranean Pines to grow in our very own backyard, side yard, adjacent field, and so on.  He ordered both seeds and saplings from a couple of different suppliers in far away places like California.  He carefully nurtured the tiny trees and carefully tended the seeds when they sprouted.  The net result is that now, after a year, we have some half-a-dozen baby Mediterranean Pines well on their way to providing some beautiful umbrellas of shade from the hot Louisiana sun.

So, the point of all this is to say – sometimes a tee shirt is a great souvenir.  Sometimes something that will last for years and years while reminding you everyday of one of the most wonderful experiences of your life – all while keeping you cool in the summer (eventually, anyway) – is the very best souvenir of all.

What’s your favorite Disney vacation souvenir?

If you want to read all about our adventures on the high seas in the Mediterranean, start here.

Disney World Attractions I Could Live Without

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Inside MaelstromI’m about to say some painful things.  I’m going to make statements you won’t agree with – that’s okay!  We can agree to disagree and still be friends.  In fact, I would LOVE for you to weigh in on this particular issue either with a comment here or on Facebook or Twitter.  This is what’s so great about Walt Disney World (and the Disney fan community) – everyone enjoys the Disney parks in their own way and for different reasons!

I started thinking about Maelstrom, The Studio Backlot Tour, The American Idol Experience and the swirling rumors about what attractions may be next on the chopping block.  I thought – HEY!  There are plenty of rides I could happily live without – sacrifices I’d be gladly willing to make to the gods of change.  In return, I’d want my most beloved attractions to remain untouched, but I’ll save that list for another day.  If the Disney Company needs to free up some real estate for new and exciting innovations, I’d be happy to help with…

Disney World Attractions I Could Live Without!Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland

1.  Stitch’s Great Escape (Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom) – Sure, I put the most obvious choice first.  I figure most of you will agree with this one and I can ease you into the rest of the list.  I’m a pretty hearty girl and I actually almost threw up once in this “experience” when I was hit with the chilidog belch.  It was touch and go there for a few minutes.  Guests are exceptionally well-restrained for the duration and I’m pretty sure that ‘s what saved me – I liked my outfit a lot that day and jerked myself back from the edge by concentrating on what the loss of my lunch would to do my cute ensemble.  I hear that Disney’s since removed that part of the attraction, but I still don’t care.  I was traumatized and have been unable to bring myself to ever visit Stitch again.  12 minutes of my life I can never get back!  I don’t even have a picture of this attraction to show you which speaks volumes about my feelings – I pretty much have a picture of everything.

2.  Magic Carpets of Aladdin – What the heck is this thing doing smack in the middle of Adventureland?  We’ve got double Dumbo’s now in Magic Kingdom and we don’t need the rugs, spitting camels, or garish color scheme tacky-ing up the beloved home of the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean.  Fly away Carpets, fly away!

Mission: SPACE3. Mission: SPACE (Future World, Epcot) – I know!  The queue is cool, but if you don’t have the right stuff, why bother.  If you’ve got to ride the Green, don’t waste your time.  If you’re going for the Orange Team, you’d better have some strong constitution.  I rode the Orange (before the Green version was invented) and lived to tell about it.  Now I can look back fondly – which actually, if they’d go on and close this thing, I could blow up into an even bigger deal.  A fish story for the future grandkids.  This one begs to be a nostalgic story full of bragging and exaggeration!  No matter what happens to it, a memory will remain all it is for me since I’m not planning to ever ride it again.

4. Dinosaur – I ride it, I like it, I can live without it.  It’s just meh.  I’m not thrilled by it.  I don’t Dinosaur Ride Photothink the dinosaurs are a great representation of Disney Imagineering’s best work.  It is ever so much better since they turned down the volume and toned down the jerkiness of the ride.  I would not shed a single tear if this attraction moved on to make room for something (anything!) more spectacular.

5.  Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – I didn’t just dislike this experience.  I loathed it.  I thought it was boring.  I think I wanted to see more people and fewer vehicles.  Some of the stunts were…interesting, but the attraction takes up valuable property in the Studios that could be put to much better use.  I haven’t seen the show since Mater and the Cars’ stars joined the fun…not sure even they could make me like it.

Here’s what you should do…for every one on my list you don’t agree with, offer up an attraction to take its place on the pretend chopping block.  I’d love to hear your thoughts!